Useful websites for an English learner.

Here I list some of the website I feel would be useful for an ESL learner.I listed the sites into two categories:
Reading and writing,listening and speaking. If you know any other websites please let us know about it through our comments section.

Listening and Speaking

1.Focus English - A great site with conversations related to various places and situations.You may need real player to listen.
2.Randall’s esl cyber Listening lab -One of the best sites.You can feel the authors sense of humor in the conversations.A best site to learn the culture too.

Reading and Writing

1.Cambridge Online Dictionary – A good companion for your reading improvements.Facility to search idioms and Phrasal verbs.
2.Dictionary Encarta – A good dictionary for hear the pronunciation of the word.

Do you have any site to suggest please feel free to submit it?

Posted in Language usage | 4 Comments »

What’s up?

From the beginning I arrived in Canada,I noticed a phrase among youngsters very common,which I never heard about in our high school English text book back home.In south asia mostly we start to learn English as a subject from third grade.
I soon realized it’s a kind of greeting like ‘How are you?’,but I couldn’t figure out the real meaning and what the reply should be for this ‘What’s up?’

I didn’t know how to reply for that even after finishing first year in University.

One day I was going to school in the bus,some girls from my community got into the bus.I know one girl in the group.They sat in the next seat and the girl asked me ‘What’s up?’.
I felt like why this world still exists?

You might wonder it’s a simple thing why wouldn’t I go and ask someone.Yes,that’s the most appropriate action one should take.I would have asked some one if I think like I am today.Before I was trying to hide as much as possible that I don’t speak English well.But that’s the only thing a person who is learning language shouldn’t do.

After some of the embarrassments I decided to use a technique : OK I’ll ask some one the same question.Hey,what’s up?

I chose a person who looks nice (I don’t want to get into troubles) and waited for some days to met that person some where and asked him ‘Hey,What’s up?’.I still can remember the weird look he gave me.

OK then what is the true meaning of ‘What’s up?’
As far as I learned this not a proper form of English( if I am wrong please someone correct me).It means similar to ‘what’s going on?’.You can say what you are doing at this time,but most of the time ‘Nothing much’ would be enough.

Please correct me.Others also get help from your comments.

Posted in Language usage | 4 Comments »